Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Pope Benedict XVI condemned the violence between Israel and Lebanon on Sunday, saying, "The causes of such fierce confrontation are unfortunately objective situations of violation of law and justice." He has urged that the two sides meet for talks.

At a G8 meeting earlier this week, leaders approved a statement that called for immediate ceasefire. The statement called upon Israel to act with restraint, yet placed the blame for the violence upon the Hezbollah terrorists. The Pope, when questioned about it said, "I fully agree with the G8 statement." According to Catholic World News:

Pope Benedict said that in his view, the G8 statement "indicates the path" that should be taken toward peace in the Middle East. That statement had called for the safe return of Israeli soldiers who have been captured in Gaza and Lebanon; a halt to the rocket attacks and terror bombings on Israeli territory; the end of Israeli military operations in Lebanon; rapid withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza; and the release of Palestinian parliamentary leaders who have been arrested by Israeli forces.

"I have nothing to add," Pope Benedict said, "except the importance of prayer that God will help us."